MotoringFile reports on the new three cylinder power plant planned for 2013 placed by MINI in a R56. MINI invited testers to drive it against the existing engine without any information about which car held the three cylinder power plant. The results, as stated by
MotoringFile:
After several runs back to back it became obvious to our source that the three cylinder MCS didn’t quite have the initial launch of the four in the current MCS. Specifically it lagged in the middle of first gear just a bit. However 2nd gear reportedly was “great” and the run up to redline was really satisfying (especially considering the sound).
In fact another source (who was at the same test) actually thought the 3 cylinder felt more powerful. Final numbers are still a couple of years away and we can expect the gearing to be completely sorted production.
